ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Inspiration comes from all places. We just have to be open enough to receive.
Out of town for an event, I stopped for breakfast with friends. Several of us were sitting at the kitchen table chatting when a 6-year-old little girl came to me and climbed up into my lap. No words, no fuss, no muss, she simply climbed up and went to sleep. Her father told me he’d never seen her do that, and explained why this tiny person, adopted out of a horrendous situation, had good reason to not trust people. Yet, she trusted me.
Then he motioned to one of the guys I hadn’t yet met and said, “Only other person she’s like that with is Raven.” I looked at the man patiently flipping eggs at the stove and immediately was struck by how much he looked like Bones in my head. Covered in tattoos, black and grey, hardly any inch of skin left bare, his skin was an oft-painted canvas. He should have been frightening to a girl like her, fearsome to a woman like me. But he wasn’t. He isn’t.
I'd written scores of words about Bones before I met Raven, but I didn't really understand who Sal Ramos was. Not until I spent time sitting in the kitchen of a biker clubhouse while an abused six-year-old child slept peacefully in my lap, giving me the brilliant opportunity to pick the brain of a man who intentionally self-isolated in a way that is permanent, defining, and hard for many citizens to see past.
When I look back, it’s interesting to track the transition in my awareness and comfort with Raven over the course of a few hours. By the end of the day, I didn't even see his tattoos anymore.
No, by then—I just saw Raven. His expressive, dark eyes that crinkled at the corners when he laughed, and he laughed a lot. His hands that patiently folded paper airplanes only to see them crumpled and destroyed. Over and over. His teeth that were white and square, and made his smile so very real. He was imbued with serenity and grace, gifted with a striking intelligence and a sense of deep loyalty. A lover, a brother, a father, a man. Raven transformed Bones in my head, and made me long to write his story.
I am blessed. (BIG sigh.)
The list of thank yous for this book is long, so bear with me, yeah?
I am thrilled to have worked with Eric Battershell, Stefan Northfield, and Debera Kuntz on this cover. I met Eric two years ago, and his smiling approach was so sweetly kind he made quite the impression. Fast forward to spring of 2016 when I was searching for the right model to portray Bones. I had spent hours looking at portfolios from various photographers and models, found nearly a dozen guys who were not quite perfect, but backed away from licensing any of those. I needed this character to seem as powerful, larger than life, enigmatic, and awe inspiring as he was in my mind.
I did find a model who was perfect, but due to distance, scheduling, or other commitments, not an option. That was until I saw a post from Eric that my perfect guy, Stefan, was making a whirlwind trip from his home in the UK to work a photo shoot in Ohio. Several fast-flying messages and a few hours later, they captured my vision. The result speaks for itself, and is the artistry you see on the cover. Working with Debera Kuntz on the cover design is always amazing, because she is unbelievably talented. We toss ideas around until something gels, and what comes back to me is magic. Thank you all!
My editor, Becky Johnson, is one of the most patient people I know, and I appreciate her willingness to put up with my insecure demands for updates. She and the gals at Hot Tree Editing have done Bones proud, and I thank you.
I have the most talented of critique partners in my diverse crew. MirandaPanda, Kori, Megan, Jamey, and Kelsi: Thank you for not being afraid of calling me on my bullshit. Y’all rock.
The men and women of the RWMC have developed a very loyal following, and that fact is both thrilling and terrifying all in the same breath. For the readers and fans of the series, I hope you enjoy reading this story about Bones and Ester half as much as I did writing it.
Beyond Raven, I had occasion to call on the expertise of a select group of men and women. My friends, the folks who roll twos, and chase the sun on the winding backroads of America. Y’all are amazing, and I appreciate the chance to get my knees in the breeze alongside you.
Shiny side, yeah? Muuwah! <3
Woofully yours,
~ML